"Negotiate, it seems like there is something you aren't satisfied with. Especially when I didn't even list the specifics."
Helios was caught. While he was adamant about negotiating, he indeed didn't have many gripes with what he was offered. He shot too early. So he thought of the only thing that he could find a problem with.
"I feel that my requirements to getting a citizenship are too vague."
Helios was right, the requirement of "completing a more difficult mission" was too vague.
"I guess I can clarify that. The "more difficult mission" has actually already been decided. It's just that you can choose to take on it whenever since it's not that urgent."
'So it has already been decided I wonder what it is'
"What is the miss..."
But before Helios could finish his question, he was interrupted by Graham.
"I cannot tell you until you accept the position."
"Fine. Then can you continue wih the details that were left out yesterday?"
"Sure. So let's get to the important things. You can expect to get paid 70 thousand remmies a month. You would also be granted a housing on the fourth level. You would be working when needed, you weekends won't necessarily be free, but that doesn't mean that you won't get days off. Some days will have no work, while others will give you no time to breathe. So what do you say?"
The conditions didn't seem bad, free housing sounded great, and while he didn't know the exact value of remmies he felt that the deal was fair.
'So I'd really be like a police officer, being called in for special cases, seems interesting'
"It looks fine"
Helios tried to sound as disinterested as he could.
"Then let's continue. The current offer would have you work for us for a fixed thirty years and.."
The official kept talking, but what was just said left Helios so shocked that he couldn't keep it together.
'I should only be about twenty years old... thirty years is more time time than I've been alive for, and not by a little it's by ten whole years.'
Helios was clearly dissatisfied with that part of the offer.
"... and that should be most of the info you need to know for know."
The official finished his speech, but Helios didn't catch most of it, so instead of askimg for it to be repeated he went into negotiation mode.
"I'm not fine with the contract being for a thirty year period."
"And why would that be Helios? I've clearly stated that this is meant to be a permanent position, and to be honest even thirty years is generous."
"Still I wish for it to be shorter."
"How much shorter?"
"Have it be for ten years."
Suddenly the official made a face that audibly said "Are you serious?".
Helios had learnt that while negotiating it was smart to low-ball your offer, so when they meet in the middle you would come out as the winner. But by the look of things, he may have low-balled a bit too much.
"Ten years is impossible Helios. Be a bit more reasonable"
Even Jack had to speak up.
'Was it really that low, I thought it was an okay first offer.'
Next Graham opened his mouth and said to Helios with a serious tone.
"Ten years is not achievable. Can we meet in the middle how about twent five years."
It seems Helios wasn't wrong, the intial offer while low was good enough to get the years down significantly, but it wasn't enough.
"I'm sorry. I feel like if it's over fifteen years I might not be able to take it."
"Then twenty years, would that be alright?"
"Hmm, I suppose I can agree to that."
And with that the negotiation was... succesful? He was able to take ten years off the contracted time, but when coming here he thought he could get something more major out of this negotiarion, yet it feels like he walked away with very little. And though the meeting wasn't over he felt there wasn't much else to negotiate.
"So, are you satisfied Helios."
"Yes, I suppose you can say so."
"Then let's sign this contract right away."
With that done Mr. Graham stood up and walked to a case that was in the corner of the room.
Opening it there was a large contract in it, seemingly the one Helios had to sign.
"Then, please extend you hand and we can get right into it."
"Wait get into what?"
"Drawing blood for the sacred binding contract."
"Binding contract?!"
"Of course, you didn't expect this to merely be a simple contract, you will sign a binding contract to make sure our interests are met."
"Can I atleast read it first?"
"I've already stated the terms, but fine you can do that."
Looking at the contract the points were the following:
1. Subject won't be able to leave the capital, without permission.
2. Subject will not be able to reject direct requests from the following people: the pope, the goddess, the mayor of Rem.
3. The contract points 1. and 2. are valid for the period of twenty years.
4. State information learned during the contracts duration, cannot be disclosed even after the comtracts termination.
There weren't many terms, but the ones that were were worrying.
"I'm sorry, but I only see restrictions here. Where are my benefits."
"Oh, this is a binding contract the benefits aren't listed since the contracts effect only extend to you, but don't worry you will get everything."
At this point Helios felt that what he was signing was not actually a contract for employment, but rather a slave contract.
Still looking how Jack who was next to him didn't find any issues with it he felt he could sign it without much worry.
To sign it he had to draw his blood out. For that there was a small needle placed on the officials desk.
As Helios poked his finger and blood started drawing out he placed his finger on the designated area.
In the next moment a strange headache washed over him. He felt like his head could explode, but it quickly subsided.
"Then we should be done. Welcome to the team Helios."
The official said as he extended his hand for a handshake.
Helios reciprocated and shook the man's hand.
"You will be starting on Monday, the specifics will be delivered to your new residence by tomorrow."
Next he took out a set of keys and handed them to Helios.
"These are keys to your new residence, it's on the fourth level. Once there search for Dusk street 5. The apartment on the third floor should be your new home."
With the meeting actually done and Helios's fate being sealed, the two were ready to go home.
They said their goodbyes to Mr. Graham and left the government building.
"Hey, Jack did you also sign a similiar contract? You work for the government right?"
"Yes, I did so you don't have to worry."
'Phew'
"Though mine had way fewer restrictions"
'Not phew'
As the two got near the platform leading to the lower levels Jack started talking.
"Should we go to the third floor to get you some furniture?"
"Wait, it's not furnished?"
"Probably not, you might have a bed atleast."
"First, we should see the apartment."
The two made their way down to the forth level and then to Dawn street, and soon they arrived before a building. It was their destination.
The building was great in size and had multiple levels with each having only one apartment.
They arrived at the third floor and opened the door leading to Helios's apartment.
The design of the apartment immediately caught both their attention, the first room they came to was the living room and in it were the doors leading to all the other rooms. It was like a grand lobby to some mansion, but it was just an apartment.
Still the inside was empty, aside from a bed awkwardly placed in the middle of the living room, this giant apartment had nothing in it.
"Guess we'll have to buy furniture... but how I still don't have any money."
"It's fine the official said that a newbie bonus should be coming tomorrow along with the other things."
'He said that?'
With their plan for the day decided the two went down to the third level and shopped for some furniture.
In the end Helios they ordered most of the things Helios would need. Things for the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom and for the living room.
But since he had no money, he was only able to order things.
He would reserve these items, they would get put on a carriage and after he payed tomorrow his items would get delivered to his new house.
The long day was finally over, and it was time for the two part for the first time since their meeting. Much to both of their relief.
As Helios arrived back into his new house he slowly went around the apartment and imagined where his new sets of furnitures would be placed.
'This would be here. And then I would put thag here... this is really starting to come along.'
As the image of his new house became bigger he felt that he should finally place his bed in a more fitting place.
So he slowly went and pushed the large bed into his new bedroom, placing it in the rooms top left corner.
'Perfect'
With nothing else to do Helios chose to go to sleep. Even though last night's dream was still haunting him, there was nothing he could do, people needed to sleep.
So, now in his new bedroom in his new bed he slowly shut his eyes and fell into a dream.